Colorado Economic Recovery and Accountability

Press Release: Metro Area Intersection Projects Begin

COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

www.dot.state.co.us


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 3, 2009


Contact:
Mindy Crane - Office: (303) 757-9469 Cell: (303)-880-2136


SIGNAL INSTALLATION AND UPGRADE PROJECT UNDERWAY AS PART OF AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT


DENVER-- A safety and mobility project is underway through the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) that will improve several intersections in the Denver metro area by installing new traffic signals, upgrading existing traffic signals and installing detection systems or fiber optics. The $902,000 project is being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).


"We have seen significant growth over the years at each location resulting in different traffic needs," said CDOT Traffic Engineer Steve Hersey. "Regardless of the work we are conducting, both safety and mobility will be greatly improved as a result of this Recovery Act project."


This project includes the following improvements:


  • US 6 at State Highway 58/State Highway 93: The traffic signal at this location will be upgraded and a detection system will be installed at all approaches to reduce delay and improve safety. The detection system will provide for more flexibility in the traffic signal operation, ultimately benefitting the numerous vehicles traveling to the gaming communities.
  • State Highway 128 at Simms: A traffic signal will be installed at this intersection, which is located in a community that has experienced recent growth and development. Over a five year span, 2000 through 2004, there have been 30 crashes with 16 injuries at this intersection, many of which were broadside accidents.
  • State Highway 128 between McCaslin Boulevard and State Highway 121: Fiber optic will be installed along this stretch of SH 128 that will connect all of the signals along SH 128 to CDOT's traffic signal communication system. This connectivity will result in real-time communication with these intersections allowing for improved reliability and coordination.

Sturgeon Electric Co. of Henderson, CO is the contractor for this project which is scheduled to be complete by the end of October 2009.


In all, Colorado will receive more than $400 million from the Recovery Act for transportation projects and $103 million for transit projects. For more information about how Colorado is putting the Recovery Act to work, visit www.colorado.gov/recovery. For a list of CDOT's Recovery Act projects, visit www.dot.state.co.us/arra.